REI — Local services in Williston

I was hoping to come in the store and get sized and purchase new winter boots to wear both for casual walks in the snow and some light snowshoeing. Upon arriving I was told that the shoe department had been pretty busy, but I went over there anyway. There was one customer there currently getting fitted. It didn't seem like the store had a very large selection of winter boots and they didn't seem too excited to help me. I asked about the first pair that interested me and was told they didn't have them in stock. That's fine, it's a common size and it's January. I asked about boots similar to what I had on and the only advice they offered was to "somehow repair my old boots." They didn't know anything about them or why they needed to be replaced so I really felt pushed off. They are 10 year old keens, and nothing really all that special. They didn't offer any alternatives or seem like they wanted me there at all. Maybe the workers were just burned out from previous customers. Anyhow, the employee sorta made me feel like I didn't belong there and that they weren't going to waste their time talking to me. I guess I'll try to find boots somewhere else that actually feels like helping a customer. I'm a little sad because I thought REI was my sort of store. I like the outdoors, but I guess there is a reason internet sales are taking over the brick and...

The bike shop team is amazing. I had purchased a new tire for my daughter's bike and tried mounting it for two hours before finally giving up. I called REI to see if they could help. I stopped by 15 minutes later, and they immediately went to work. What should have taken five minutes stretched into over 30 minutes, but they persisted 💪. I ended up leaving the tire with them as they continued to try. An hour or two later, I received a call saying they were unable to mount the tire and that I could come pick it up. Apparently, four or more service techs spent over two hours trying to mount the tire, but to no avail. When I went to pick up the tire, I expected to pay at least some amount for their time, but they said there was no charge and even threw in a new inner tube because they had popped at least one while attempting to mount my tire 😂. They provided some solid advice on how to deal with this "demon" tire, and I went on my way. In the end, I bought a new tire with a smaller bead and managed to get it on myself 😅, but I don't think I would have had the confidence to do so without the REI bike shop team....

I want to give a special shoutout to Kiyomi, who went above and beyond in helping us get a rack and a top box for our Subaru.

Long story short — Thule’s database that lists vehicle compatibility was incorrect, so when I tried to install a roof rack we picked up from the store, it was a frustrating fail. Kiyomi helped trouble-shoot it multiple times and eventually was able to get the Thule folks to update their records (and to confirm that the product we bought was actually never going to fit!). We had to return the whole purchase and wait for REI to stock compatible racks. When they came in six months later, Kiyomi helped us out again and even installed the the rack and box — a total lifesaver because we have a young toddler, so focusing this kind of job in our household right now is wildly difficult.

Anyway, big thanks to Kiyomi — whose technical product knowledge is as impressive as her get-it-done energy — and to REI for finally setting up shop in the Green Mountain state! We were already REI fans but y'all just keep...